You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.

Introduction

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites you to learn more about the energy trends of certain industrial manufacturing sectors, including the opportunities and challenges for improved energy efficiency and clean energy use within these sectors. It is important to note that this report is an analytical document and does not convey Agency decision. The report's findings and policy options are based on the available data used in this analysis. EPA's Sector Strategies Division commissioned this analysis to meet the following objectives:

For the purposes of this report "Environmentally Preferable Energy Outcomes" are achieved by reductions in energy-related air emissions through increased energy efficiency (which reduces fuel consumption and associated emissions) and/or transitioning to less emissions-intensive energy sources.

The analysis focuses primarily on criteria air pollutants but it also includes some projections of carbon dioxide emissions. Other air emissions, such as air toxics, as well as water and land impacts are not included.

The report indicates the amount of purchased electricity used by each sector, but the energy related emissions discussed in this report refer only to onsite emissions at industrial facilities.

The analysis focuses on fuel inputs for energy use only and does not address feedstock fuel use (i.e., fuel raw material inputs to the manufacturing process).